THE WEBBY AWARDS
Perhaps most widely known were the Webby Awards, presented by the International Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences (IADAS). Based in San Francisco, the International Academy was founded two years after the Webbies began, sprouting from the original awards' judging academy, and its members were generally recognized leaders in fields related to electronic media. The Webbies is the annual ceremony, designed to mimic music's Grammies or Holly-wood's Oscars, at which the academy bestows awards on sites in various categories and for various criteria of excellence. (Unlike those awards ceremonies, however, the Webby Awards limit acceptance speeches to five words or less.) In general, the Webbies aim to honor those sites that are most likely to make Web surfers want to visit and provide the best overall browsing experience.
In 2001, the Webbies covered 27 categories, including commerce, community, education, activism, government and law, humor, news, sports, and "weird." On top of category awards, the Webbies recognize excellence in technical and artistic achievement, as well as outstanding individual contributions and achievements. The IADAS selects all nominees, but for each category two awards are bestowed: the Webby (presented by the academy) and the People's Voice Award (voted by the online public). The Webbies draw celebrity power, as well. The 2001 ceremony—featuring performance art, film, video, and animation—was hosted by ABC television journalist Sam Donaldson.
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